אָבֵל בֵּית־מֲעַכָה
Abel of Beth-maakah, a place in Palestine
Definition
Abel Beth-Maakah is a fortified city in northern Israel, identified as a 'meadow' or 'grassy area' (from 'avel') belonging to the region of Beth-Maakah. It was a strategically important city located near the tribal territory of Dan, often associated with the northern kingdom of Israel. In the biblical narrative, it is mentioned as a city conquered by the Aramean king Ben-Hadad (1 Kings 15:20) and later by the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III (2 Kings 15:29), highlighting its role in regional conflicts.
Biblical Usage
This proper noun appears only twice in the Old Testament, both times in historical accounts of military campaigns against the northern kingdom of Israel. In 1 Kings 15:20, Ben-Hadad I of Aram attacks several cities, including Abel Beth-Maakah, at the request of King Asa of Judah. In 2 Kings 15:29, the Assyrian king Tiglath-Pileser III captures the city during his invasion of Israel under King Pekah. Its usage is exclusively geographical and military-historical.
Etymology
The name is a compound: 'Abel' (H58, 'āḇēl) meaning 'meadow' or 'grassy place'; 'Beth' (H1004, bayit) meaning 'house' or 'place of'; and 'Maakah' (H4601, maʿăkâ), likely referring to a neighboring Aramean kingdom or region. Thus, the full name means 'Meadow of the House of Maakah,' indicating a fertile area within or near the territory controlled by Maakah.
Semantic Range
While not a theologically loaded term itself, Abel Beth-Maakah appears in narratives demonstrating God's judgment on the northern kingdom of Israel for its idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness. Its conquest by foreign powers (Aram in 1 Kings 15:20, Assyria in 2 Kings 15:29) aligns with prophetic warnings (e.g., 2 Kings 17:7-23) that disobedience would lead to military defeat and exile, underscoring the biblical theme of divine sovereignty over nations.
In its ancient Near Eastern context, Abel Beth-Maakah was a significant border fortress town, controlling a fertile valley and trade routes. Its repeated capture reflects the volatile political and military struggles between Israel and its northern neighbors (Aram and later Assyria). The 'meadow' component of its name suggests it was valued for agricultural resources, making it a strategic prize for invading armies seeking supplies.
Abel (H59, 'āḇēl) — A shorter form referring to other towns named 'Abel' (e.g., Abel Meholah), distinguished by their geographic modifiers.
Word Details
How this works
Hebrew definitions are from Brown-Driver-Briggs (1906) and Strong's Exhaustive Concordance (1890), both public domain. BDB was groundbreaking for its era but reflects 19th-century assumptions about Semitic etymology. Modern scholarship (HALOT, DCH) has revised many entries. Use these definitions as a starting point for exploration, not as the final word on a term's meaning in context.
Full methodology & sources →